I have now used this boot extensively including for a light low level hike (30 odd km) and then up and down Tryfan in Wales, UK, even on the eastern traverse (tending more towards grade 2+ scrambling and rock climbing). It performed excellently!

To the stiffness 'problem' person, the likelihood is that the boot doesn't fit your foot shape at all, in which case of course they won't be comfortable. For your foot to flex 'with' the boot, you need a secure heel fit, in which case your foot will force the boot to flex, it's not like putting 150Ibs on it won't flex it unless it's not laced up properly or just plain doesn't fit.

Plus any hunters saying they're too stiff for stealth, totally true. This is a trekking/mountaineering boot, designed to take a crampon and stay stiff to ensure the crampon stays on your boot, and not in that crevasse 100 feet below. Not a stealth boot!

It's incredibly versatile, at home on the flat and then just comes along and you can toe point and use the toe to cling onto pretty small footholds for scrambling. Grip is excellent. They look as good as new after a lot of abuse, and add to that (they fit my feet very well) THEY ARE COMFORTABLE AS HELL. I can take them off after 3 days of walking and not notice the difference in comfort between the boot and thin air.

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The Alaska GTX is my second pair of Hanwags. I am…

The Alaska GTX is my second pair of Hanwags. I am on a budget so I waited, off and on, for six years on ebay for a size 10.5.

My first is a pair of Norwegian-welt Mountains purchased in 1977. They (the Mountains) are beginning to separate so cannot be dependable on the trail. They are still completely usable and are used often 3 season.

Why Hanwags? Getting to the summit is an option — getting down is mandatory. They are a piece of my kit that has never failed or let me down. Being of German origin you gotta play by the boots' rules. Small price to pay.

Having tried several different brands over the past…

Having tried several different brands over the past ten years these boots are by far the best I have ever used. I use them primarily for my job as a K9 handler. They are light and very supportive around the ankles. I would highly recommend them to anyone in the same line of work.

So far the only unknown is the winter climate. I am not sure how they fare on slippery surfaces (ice) but have heard that Hanwag is looking at manufacturing a winter boot with crushed glass in the sole. Can't wait.

Now my all round, all year boots, my 1993 vintage…

Now my all round, all year boots, my 1993 vintage Hanwag Alaska GTX has finally given up. The outersole has gone apart from the mid sole.

I have used these boots in Florida in the summer, on Iceland, Africa, Asia, wherever I went in this period, they always went with me. Only problem I have has is that the high plastic on the nubuck tends to come loose. Apart from this, they have taken me many many kilometers and all terrain and with different loads.

Highly recommended. I will probably buy the same again. 14 years of hard use is fine for me.

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This boot is awesome. After years of frustration with…

This boot is awesome. After years of frustration with boots either not being up to hard use or not holding up, these guys have won me and my wife over. We have used them for over a year now, backpacking in the Sierras, Canadian Rockies, off-trail in the Grand Canyon, and they not only are still comfortable but are still in great shape.

This boot appears to be made from top grade materials…

This boot appears to be made from top grade materials (the only reason I gave it 3 stars not 2).

The sole of this boot does NOT flex. I wore the boots for 6 weeks at work and around the house to break them in to my feet. The real test was scouting for an upcoming elk hunt. Hiking on uneven, rocky ground I found that because of the No-flex soles, my foot would flex but the boot would not, causing irritation spots on both heels. after 1 average day in the field I will not be wearing these boots again.

Most hunters / outdoor enthusiasts don't mind paying top dollar for products that perform well. I have owned several $150 boots that are far superior in comfort to these boots. The problem with the $150 boots is that they don't last.

I will continue my search for a comfortable boot that might last more than a couple seasons.